Religion and Sociology
Ch. 14, Sec. 1 pp. 464-466
What is Religion?
Religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices concerned with sacred things, exists in every known society
Sacred-meaning transcends immediate existence, holy
Profane-normal, commonplaceSacred can become profane and vice
versa
How do sociologists use religion?
Sociologists avoid spiritual side of religion; too complicated and abstract to evaluate
Study social dimensions of religion
Religion’s influence on societyMust put aside own belief system
Theoretical Perspectives and Religion
Ch. 14, Sec. 2 pp. 467-473
Functionalist
Religion legitimizes the current societies customs and practices
Religion creates unity and orderReligion provides a sense of
understandingReligion promotes a sense of
belonging
Conflict Theory
Focuses on how religion works to create or prevent social change
Marx-religion is tool of the powerful to force others to conform
Weber-religion could bring social change
Symbolic Interactionism
Berger-from religious traditions people create a “canopy” of symbols to “lay” on the secular world
Especially evident in times of distress– Praying on a bad day, kamikaze
pilots and terrorists, Bad marriage
Religious Organization and Religiosity
Ch. 14, Sec. 3 pp. 475-480
Thursday Start Here
Religious Organizations
4 Types of Organizations *according to sociologists– Church– Denomination– Sect– Cult
Church
A life encompassing religious organization to which all members of a society belong
Exists when religion and state are mixed
Denomination
One of several religious organizations accepted as legitimate
Membership is voluntaryCompetition for members Often accept norms and values of
secular state and society
Sect
Religious organization created to reform the “parent/main” group
Members generally believe the main group is losing some traditions and attempts to keep them
Amish, Assemblies of God, Pilgrims
Cult
Characteristics are not drawn from a previous group, new belief
Extremes are most visible (Waco Branch Davidians, Heaven’s Gate, Uganda)
Many are more conventional (Scientology, Unification)
As a class, Read p. 476-477
On a separate sheet of paper, write down why teenagers are more likely to be singled out to join a cult. (3-5 minutes) Complete sentences and thoughts.
After you write your paragraph, get together with a person next to you and compare your answers (3-5 minutes)
Thursday END Here
Religiosity
Glock/Stark identified 5 dimensions by which people express their religious interests and convictions– Beliefs-what someone considers to
be true– Ritual-a religious practice members
are expected to perform
Dimensions of Religiosity
– Intellectual Dimension-knowing the scripture and religious aspects of human existence
– Experience-feelings attached to religious expression
Dimensions of Religiosity
– Consequences-decisions and commitments people make based on their beliefs, rituals, knowledge, or experience
– Consequences can be:Public: opposing abortionPrivate: sexual abstinence
Religion in the United States
Ch. 14, Sec. 4 pp. 481-488
Development in the U.S.
First immigrants to U.S. sought religious freedom
Founding fathers, although religious, recognized the importance of a secularized gov’t not associated with religion
Secularization in the U.S.
Many believe that religion is no longer as important in U.S. Society
America does appear to be religious when compared to other industrial countries
96% of population believe in a “higher power”
Religious Preferences in the U.S.
58% are Protestant– Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran are
largest– 300 denominations and sects
25% are Catholic, but are the largest single denomination
Fundamentalism
Membership in groups who resist secularization and practice traditional beliefs and rituals is increasing
Fundamentalism exists in all religions
Protestant Fundamentalism
Politically conservativeBegan in 19th century over spread
of scientific beliefs like Darwinism and the teachings of Marx
Rejected movement away from traditional teachings to an emphasis on social service
Protestant Fundamentalism
While mainstream denominations (Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian) are losing members….
Fundamentalists are growing (Mormons, Assembly of God, Baptists, Jehovah Witnesses)
Fundamentalist Beliefs
Believe in literal truth of the scriptures
Belief that world is out of control and lost its morals
Do not accommodate to mainstream society like mainline denominations
Religion and Social Class
Generally, with many exceptions:– Jews, Presbyterians at the top– Lutherans, Catholics Methodists in the
middle– Baptists at the bottom
Religion and Politics
Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Lutherans are strongest republican supporters
Jews, Catholics, and Baptists are strong democrat supporters
Religion and Science
Conflict over creation theory– Big bang vs. God– Evolution vs. Intelligent Design
Ethical conflicts over cloning and gene manipulation